fleet " , composed of large east india ##man merchant ships in the employ of the british east india company , sailed westward ##s to europe from macau laden with tea and other commercial cargo . this convoy was economically significant to britain : one convoy in 1804 was valued at over £ 8 million ( the equivalent of £ 600 @ , @ 000 @ , @ 000 as of 2016 ) . in january 1797 the convoy had been attacked by the french squadron in the east indies , comprising six frigates commanded by con ##tre @ - @ amir ##al pierre cesar charles de ser ##cey . in the ensuing bali strait incident the commander dec ##ei ##ved ser ##cey into believing that the unesco
fleet ", composed of large east indiaman merchant ships in the employ of the british east india company, sailed westwards to europe from macau laden with tea and other commercial cargo. this convoy was economically significant to britain : one convoy in 1804 was valued at over £ 8 million ( the equivalent of £ 600 @, @ 000 @, @ 000 as of 2016 ). in january 1797 the convoy had been attacked by the french squadron in the east indies, comprising six frigates commanded by contre @ - @ amiral pierre cesar charles de sercey. in the ensuing bali strait incident the commander deceived sercey into believing that the unesco